Sorry for the delay everyone. I wanted this chapter to go a certain way, but it wouldn't listen to me! Arghhhh... I tried to write this on three separate occasions before just settling for letting the plot go where it wants to go. I am updating all of my stories as regularly as I can, but I have four stories going at once, all in different fandoms.

On a side note, this story, even though it's an AU, is following the actual timeline of the books for the most part. That means Harry won't meet Sirius until the third book, sorry.

Thank you to Quetzalcoatls, Luiz4200, Rainbow2007, Dark Neko 4000, Penny is wise, Cassandra30, JTFLAM, iwastheexample, mollyisyourgirl, and god of all for your reviews! It means loads to me! Also thanks for all the alerts and favorites.

"Talking"
'Sign Language'
Thinking

Harry was practically bouncing with excitement by the time the Knight Bus finally stopped with a loud bang. He almost bowled three innocent bystanders over in his rush to get out into his first taste of the magical world. James laughed at his son's antics and followed Harry out of the bus, making faces at disgruntled passengers. Lily rolled her eyes and stayed a couple steps behind her husband, as if she were embarrassed to be with him. It was times like these that they could almost forget that nobody could see them.

When Lily and James finally made it out of the crowded bus, they joined their son who was patiently waiting a couple of feet away. Harry's eyes were a vibrant shade of violet, indicating his excitement. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling his magic rumble contentedly in the presence of other witches and wizards. When he opened his eyes again, James was already walking towards a building called the Leaky Cauldron. Lily smiled down at her son and took his hand.

'Is that how we get to Diagon Alley?' Harry signed excitedly.

"Yes it is! Merlin, you're going to love it Harry!" James called excitedly over his shoulder. Harry grinned and broke out into a run to catch up with his father. He pushed the door open and made his way inside the crowded room. Dozens of wizards and witches were eating and drinking, paying the slight boy no mind. If only they had known it was the Boy Who Lived, they would probably be climbing over each other to get to him. Fortunately none of them suspected of anything and Harry was able to make it to the back of the pub without incident. They exited through the back and made their way towards the brick wall that served as an entrance into the wizarding community.

'How am I supposed to get in without a wand?' Harry signed, worrying his lip anxiously. Lily reassured him by mussing his inky black hair.

"I'm sure you can get in the same way you summoned the Knight Bus, just focus Harry." Nodding solemnly, Harry closed his eyes and rested his hand on the wall. For a moment, nothing happened, but then there was a slight breeze and the wall suddenly opened to reveal the colorful Diagon Alley. James shot his son a proud look and Harry beamed.

"Alright you," James said with a twinkle in his eye. "Off to Gringotts to get some spending money!" Lily tugged on James' shirt and he turned towards her.

"James, we have to think about doing something about Harry's eyes. It'll be suspicious if he walks about with eyes that change colors." Harry overheard his mother's concerned talking and entered the conversation.

'Is there some sort of ritual we could do?'

Lily paused for a second, thinking over her options. She was naturally gifted at potions, but she could not make the potion for Harry as a ghost. Also, the ritual she was considering was borderline dark because it left a scar in its wake. Severus had taught it to her back when they were friends... she hastily turned her thoughts away from the potion's professor, her heart clenching painfully when she thought of their broken friendship.

"There is one ritual I can think of Harry," Lily said cautiously, beginning to walk through the crowds. "But it's dangerous if you mess it up. It involves making a potion."

"He can do it!" James said confidently. "He makes stuff for the Dursley's all the time, and cooking is kind of like potion making, right?" Lily snorted.

"No wonder you were so bad at potions. You would have failed without me." James turned red and looked down at Harry, who was silently laughing behind his hand. James glared at Harry with no effect.

"We'll figure it out later," James said, a little miffed. "We're almost to Gringotts." They walked in companionable silence until they reached the formidable Wizarding Bank. Harry, Lily, and James walked up the steps and paused briefly in front of the tall doors. Lily leaned down to talk to her too thin, six year old son.

"Listen Harry, this is very important. There are creatures inside called Goblins, they are a very intelligent magical beings. They demand respect, so be on your best behavior, all right young man?" Harry nodded at his mother, recognizing the serious tone in her voice. James rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet impatiently until Harry finally opened the doors. When he did, he took a tentative step in, taking in all of the wonderful sights around him. The ceilings were arched magnificently and there were magical creatures everywhere.

Goblins, Harry reminded himself. Behind him, Lily and James shared delighted looks. One of the odd creatures stepped towards the rag tag group and Harry respectfully inclined his head. The goblin looked shocked, and then pleased.

"Can I help you?" he asked pleasantly. Harry surreptitiously looked at his invisible parents out of the corner of his eye, and saw them nod encouragingly.

'I would like to make a withdrawal.' he hesitantly signed, nervous the goblin wouldn't be able to understand sign language. To his surprise, the goblin hardly even seemed phazed.

"Of course. Follow me." The creature turned away and made his way towards a desk off to the side. Harry followed him, feeling much more confident. The goblin sat in a chair and motioned Harry to do the same. Once they were both seated, the goblin got down to business.

"My name is Griphook," the goblin said gruffly. "Your name is..." he trailed off, taking out a quill and parchment.

'Harry Potter.' The only noticeable reaction Griphook gave was a slight narrowing of his eyes, but other than that he seemed unaffected.

"Welcome to Gringotts, Mr. Potter." Griphook said quietly, seeming to know Harry didn't want to attract attention. For a couple of moments, only the scratching of the quill could be heard. Finally, the goblin looked up at his client. "Mr. Potter, I'm sure you wouldn't mind me taking a bit of blood to verify your identification?" The boy shook his head, accepting the silver knife and vial Griphook offered him. He cut his wrist shallowly, letting his blood fill the container. After the vial was full, the wound healed itself instantly. Griphook took the blood and poured it onto a piece of parchment. He then waved his hand over the blood and it faded, Harry's family tree replacing it. The name Harry Potter was highlighted. Griphook nodded and the parchment turned to ash and then disappeared. "Mr. Potter. Before we take you to your vault, we would like to update you on the state of your finances and guardian." Harry nodded his assent and the goblin continued. "After your parents died," James stuck his tongue out at Griphook but the action went blissfully unnoticed. "your next of kin was listed as your godfather, Sirius Black. But he was soon thereafter imprisoned, and Albus Dumbledore took responsibility over you." James looked sad at the thought of his best friend rotting in Azkaban. Lily rested a comforting hand on his shoulder, and whispered into his ear.

"I know he's innocent James, but there's nothing we can do to get him out in this state. We just have to wait until he figures a way out, and you know he will." James didn't look any happier, but for the sake of his son, he dispelled his sadness for a different time. He would have to inform Harry about his godfather's situation later.

Griphook continued, unaware of the ghosts silently conversing behind his client. "As your guardian, he has access to some of your assets. Your monetary assets he has access to, but not any of your properties." Harry felt a mix of shock and anger. His small fists clenched in retaliation of the unfairness of it all. Dumbledore, the man who left him for dead in the neglectful care of the Dursley's could dip into his funds? His magic thrummed hotly through his body, warming him from his fingers to his toes. Only when an expensive vase exploded violently next to him did he notice how out of control he was getting. It drew in his parents' attention as well. Harry's eyes grew wide with guilt.

'Mr. Griphook, I am so sorry.' he signed rapidly. He closed his eyes and waved his hands over the shards, which shook a little before flying back together as if nothing had happened.

"It is quite alright Mr. Potter," the goblin said calmly, though his eyes were wide with surprise. It was not usual for such a young wizard to display such control over Magic. "Shall we continue?" Harry took a couple breaths and nodded.

'Yes. I just couldn't believe that he had access to my money without my permission.' There was a pause before Harry signed another question. 'Did he take any of it?'

"He took out a bimonthly balance of 1,750 galleons to pay to your aunt and uncle." Griphook read from a transaction receipt bluntly. "That translates into 8,750 pounds in Muggle money. 8,750 pounds every two months gives the Dursleys 52,500 pounds a year for your care." For a moment, Lily and James were afraid of another violent outburst, but instead Harry seemed to fold in on himself.

'They practically starve me, they tell me I'm a burden and lucky that they take me under their roof... and all the while they were being paid for it?' Harry's hands were shaking as he signed this, and Griphook gave his a sympathetic look. Well, as sympathetic as a goblin could get.

"If it is any consolation, Mr. Potter, it doesn't even dent the vast fortune your parents left you." Harry shook his head and said nothing. His eyes were puffy and a bruised blue color. Sighing, the goblin continued, pretending he couldn't see the young boy's obvious distress. "I can make it so he cannot take anything more out without your consent, but it would be unwise to cancel the bimonthly withdrawal to the Dursleys." Harry nodded Griphook took out an acid green quill. "If I could get you to sign here." Harry took the quill and signed his name on a sheet negating Dumbledore's claim over his funds. The back of his hand itched and stung a bit, and his signature came out in blood. It was mildly uncomfortable, but it stopped after only a moment.

'Thank you Mr. Griphook. One last question. You mentioned property?'

The goblin nodded in assent. "The Potter line has three properties to its name. One vineyard and mansion in Italy, a cottage in Ireland and a bed and breakfast in America." Harry filed this information away for later contemplation.

'Thank you. May I take out money now?'

"You may. We're going to go down to your vault, number 687 to retrieve the money. If you would follow me?"

As Harry got up, Lily and James fell in step with him, one on either side protectively. They climbed into the cart and made their way down through the maze of vaults. Harry could have swore they passed by a real live dragon, but they were going too fast to really see. Lily and James were oddly silent as they the cart twisted and turned roughly, stewing in the outrage of new found knowledge. How could they have trusted Dumbledore so much?

As they passed under a waterfall that Griphook explained dissolved disguises and negated the Imperious, Harry felt the water fizzle as it hit his skin. Something inside his magical core shifted, and wind blew through the cavern ominously. Griphook looked back at his client curiously, but refrained from saying anything. It was true that the water sometimes uncovered magical traits as well as disguises, but it rarely happened. He turned back forward and dismissed the weird gust of wind to the speed of the cart, but did not forget it. He would think about it for many nights in the next coming weeks, wondering if this boy was something more than the Chosen One of wizard kind.

I will try to update this more frequently. Sorry if this was a bit boring, it tends to happen when I write late at night/early in the morning. Don't forget to review!